1.2 Miles

The “1.2“ is the 1.2-mile open-water swim in a Half Ironman (70.3) triathlon. The athletes swim 1.2 miles in lakes, rivers, or the sea. Athletes start their 1.2 mile swim either as a mass start, rolling start or age group start. The 1.2-mile swim in a Half Ironman gets the mood set for the rest of the day and requires good technique, pace, and direction. Athletes have to balance speed with saving energy: racing too fast initially can lead to fatigue later in the bike ride and the run, racing too slowly can cost time when transitioning from swim to bike. The open-water conditions of currents, waves, and temperature pose added challenges, so training for the swim typically involves sighting drills, practice draft work, and acclimate in wetsuits. Preparing for the swim involves long aerobic training to develop endurance, interval training in order to maintain race pace, and brick training in order to adapt to fatigue from the swim before biking. Becoming proficient with the 1.2-mile swim benefits not just 70.3 overall performance, but also provides assurance for longer distances such as the full 2.4-mile Ironman swim.